Wright State Hands Titans Home Loss

Scottie Wilson and Jordan Pleiman scored 19 points each and Todd Brown added 16 Saturday afternoon to lead Wright State to an 84-80 non-conference men's basketball victory at Cal State Fullerton.

Josh Akognon had 23 points and Frank Robinson added 22 for the Titans as both teams came out of the game with a 6-3 record. It was Fullerton's first home loss after four wins.

The game's pivotal play came with 4:07 to go and the score tied at 69 after two Junior Russell free throws for the Titans. John-David Gardner drove to the basket and Scott Cutley was cited for his fifth foul. Gardner made one of the free throws and the Raiders led the rest of the way but never by more than 5 points.

Cutley left with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

Fullerton hit 8 of its first 9 shots to open the game and jump out to a 23-8 lead with 14:21 remaining. But Akognon and Cutley each had two fouls two minutes later and went to the bench. The Raiders used a 13-0 run capped by Brown's 3-pointer to take a 29-27 lead. Akognon came back to hit a trey just before the halftime buzzer to put Fullerton ahead at intermission, 43-41.

Fullerton's biggest lead of the second half was 54-49 with 14:21 to play but Brown hit a trey and Pleiman made a layup to tie the game. Fullerton's last lead was at 58-57 with 10:50 to play.

Both teams shot well. The Raider hit 57 percent from the floor including 44 percent from the 3-point line as Brown hit 4 of 5. Fullerton shot 53 percent overall and 42 percent behind the arc.

The margin of victory came at the foul line, where Wright State outscored the hosts, 19-13. Fullerton was whistled for 25 fouls to 16 by the visitors.

The game was a "payback" for last year's ESPNU Bracket Buster that sent Fullerton to a 77-62 los in Ohio last Feb. 17.

Fullerton competes in the Shamrock Classic next week at Saint Mary's, facing Furman in the opening game on Friday, Dec. 28. Wright State faces Belmont University in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Saturday, Dec. 29.